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KNIGHT OF EAST AND WEST Degree The members of this Degree are sworn to devote their lives to the establishment of the Law of Thelema. It is the first Degree which is not guaranteed by right after acceptance into I°. LODGE Body of general membership The basic body of affiliation within the Order. Lodges have authority to create their own Bye-laws, and to conduct their business as they please, so long as these practices do not conflict with the general aims and principles of the Order. Lodges are obliged in the first instance to see to the social welfare of the members. They must also Initiate as necessary, up to the III°. They must work towards the establishment of a secure space wherein the members of the Lodge may meet formally and informally, which shall be as finely furnished and as well stocked with resources as local funds and talent may allow. Lodges must provide an example to the younger members of the principles of the Order put into practice. A Lodge in session must manifest the principles of Peace, Tolerance and Truth to the utmost, so that no member need ever fear to speak their mind, and in order that the cultivated climate of amity, frankness and honesty within and without Lodge may assist all the Brethren to discard old hindrances and form a clearer judgement of their own nature and original Will. An R.A. Lodge is simply an ordinary Lodge which has been given authority to perform Initiations to IV° and P.I. without the intervention of the Electoral College. To qualify for this, it must have a standing arrangement with a member of VII° to assist in the Initiations, enough local members of IV° and P.I. to put on the Initiations without any other outside assistance, and have (or have access to) the necessary equipment. Upon satisfaction as to this, the Electoral College may formally grant the Lodge R.A. status. PROVOST OF AN R.A. LODGE Office This is the person in an R.A. Lodge who is responsible for organizing Initiations to IV° and P.I. FOURTH DEGREE and P.I. Degrees Current practice is never to confer these Degrees other than consecutively on the same day. Candidates must complete an examination to the satisfaction of the attending VII°. LODGE MASTER/MISTRESS Office Must be of Third Degree and sanctioned by the Electoral College. |
